Original “lyrics” collected by Cindy Tonkin. Based on the tradional tune Bound for Botany Bay
Call: Rocking and rolling and roistering
rocking and rolling away
Response: Rocking and rolling and roistering
‘Cause we’re all singing shanties today.
Singing toorali oorali addity
Singing toorali oorali ay
Singing toorali oorali addity
And we’re all singing shanties today.
Call: Wey hey roll and go
Wey hay roll
Response: Wey hay roll and go
‘Cause we’re all singing shanties today.
Calls (choose the ones the crowd knows):
We’re rounding the horn
Rollicking randy o dandy o
Blue medda metai lampshade on
Whisky o johnny o whisky o
Haul away
Row me bully boys
Blow the winds high-ho
Heave her up and away we will go
Timmy roodan dah
Farewell and adieu
Whup! Jamboree
Come diddle um day
Shanty lyrics as sung at Redfern Shanty Club, Camperdown Shanty Club, Surry Hills Shanty Club. More info
Because the second line is slightly shorter it’s easier to teach it as a Call, but people will catch on soon. Add any common ones you like.
